“Cirque Mechanics’ 42 ft: A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels”: Review by Andrea Santo Felcone
If you are looking for family-fun entertainment this holiday season, and want to see something a little different, very likely to please everyone across all ages, look no further. My family and I enjoyed a wonderful experience this past weekend, and I can’t wait to share it with you. We sat in awe of a new circus theater show: “Cirque Mechanics’ 42 Ft: A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels” at The New Victory Theater (209 W. 42nd Street, NYC).
Photo Credit: Maike Schulz
If you enjoyed watching the marvels that used to be Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, fear not, as this is a fun way to relive fond childhood memories and introduce children to days-gone-by. However, if you soured on circuses a long time ago, (creepy clowns, right?), then this circus is unique in that it almost reminds one of an acoustic version of a circus. What I mean by that is, this show boils down the best of the circus. It features all the glorious parts (the acrobats, jugglers, fabulous costumes, pageantry, humor) and shows the beauty and artistry of the circus (no garish, creepy clowns here). This is not your childhood circus, even if you enjoyed them as a kid; this one is elevated and really quite beautiful.
One way this is achieved is through the show’s storytelling. The show’s single clown (Justin Therrien is very different from a traditional clown) is brilliant, understated, and sensitive. You are immediately drawn into his story. Turns out, Justin the Clown desperately wants to be part of the circus. Clever staging and mechanicals show us the circus from Justin’s perspective (the back of the tent) and then turn around to reveal what is happening inside that 42 ft-circus ring. (Fun fact: 42 feet has been the standard diameter of a circus ring for over 250 years. Apparently, horses galloping inside this sized ring provided the ideal platform for acrobatic feats.) The alternating viewpoints, in and out of the circus tent, was an interesting way to showcase the talent that graces the stage.
Justin’s magical acts pepper the show throughout, and for me and my older son, they were a delicious highlight. What that man can do with a simple suitcase, or a piece of cloth, is amazing. There is also a “hold-your-breath moment” later in Justin’s time on-stage, that I will not reveal, but it’s a little reminiscent of something that might have been seen in a daring sideshow act. (There are things he did that I am still trying to figure out exactly how they were done. Magical.)
Speaking of staging, everything came together really well here. The lighting, costumes, music, and mechanical equipment used, were fresh even as they depicted a vintage traveling circus show. The vintage look of the costumes was a real treat and definitely part of the visual eye-candy (Caroline Rogers, Costume Designer).
At times, I felt like I was a judge on one of those “America’s Got Talent” type of shows, as the action in that Big Top was quite close in the intimate theater of The New Victory. There were edge-of-your-seat moments, like when the Strongman (Battulga Battogtokh) juggled bowling balls, or an extremely large wooden pole. (The Strongman was my younger son’s favorite.) There were moments of awe, when Tatiana Vasilenko (the “Horse Juggler”) juggled multiple balls—even using one hand behind her back!— all while riding on a mechanical horse. She could even support herself in a hands-free backbend, without missing a beat! (This mechanical horse is as close to a live animal as the show gets.) There were also moments of grace, especially when Esther De Monteflores performed on the slack wire. The aerial accomplishments, performed with the use of interesting mechanical devices, a menagerie of mechanical marvels, for sure—were thrilling. The artistry and physical skill of these performers will stay with you long after the show ends.
Photo Credit: Maike Schulz
Through it all though, I was struck by the sheer trust these performers have to have in each other to be able to succeed at what they do. If you listen closely you will hear the circus cry–the “Hup!”–that indicates that the lead performer is ready for his partner(s) to jump, or take that leap of trust. It is a beautiful thing to watch acrobats perform with each other, at this level.
For the little ones, (the show is recommended for ages 5 and up), there are circus-themed snacks (cotton candy, anyone?) at intermission that can be pre-ordered in advance (no waiting in line). And there is enough slapstick humor to entertain younger theater-goers. This is the kind of show where there really is “something for everyone” as it entertains on several levels.
Tickets range in price, and reasonable tickets can be had. (If you are pairing this show with a meal, I would recommend making dining reservations ahead, as we did not, and that was a huge mistake in these holiday times, in a bustling Times Square.)
Of special note: The December 14th 7:00 p.m. performance will be a sensory-friendly and sign-interpreted performance. “Cirque Mechanics’ 42 Ft: A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels” runs until January 5, 2020. Please consider this review as your “Hup”! (“Go!”) to take the leap and secure your tickets now before this circus leaves town….
Tickets start at $22.00 and can be purchased here: https://tickets.newvictory.org/single/PSDetail.aspx?psn=10030#Order
Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes. (with one 20-minute intermission)
Visit The New Victory on Facebook: @newvictorytheater;
Instagram: @newvictorytheater; Twitter: @newvictory
Cirque Mechanics’ Cast:
Battulga Battogtokh: Strongman
Brysen Bishop: Acrobat, Russian Swing, Revolving Ladder
Austin Bradley: Acrobat, Lion Tamer, Russian Swing
Max Wesley Hatfield: Captain, Coach, Acrobat, Ring Master, Russian Swing
Esther De Monteflores: Slack Wire, Juggler
Brooke Neilson: Acrobat, Russian Swing, Revolving Ladder
Elijah Newton: Acrobat, Trapeze Duo
Michael Rubino: Acrobat, Revolving Ladder
Taylor Stevens: Acrobat, Russian Swing, Revolving Ladder
Justin Therrien: Clown
Nikki Unwin: Acrobat, Trapeze Duo
Tatianna Vasilenko: Horse Juggler
Creative Team:
Chris Lashua: Founder, Creative Director, Producer, Machine Designer
Aloysia Gavre: Co-Director, Choreographer
Aida Lashua: Co-Producer, Collaborator
Michael Picton: Composer
Steven Ragatz: Writer
Tags: acrobatics, circus, Family fun, The New Victory Theater
